McDonald has biggest war chest going into election

Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 4:16 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 4:16 p.m.

Sheriff Charlie McDonald leads his Republican primary challengers in fundraising, according to recent campaign finance reports. He raised $53,009 this election cycle, more than double that amassed by his two opponents.

State Trooper Michael Brown and Fletcher Police Chief Erik Summey have raised $25,780 and $24,000, respectively, according to quarterly campaign finance documents filed with the Henderson County Board of Elections.

Going into May's primary, McDonald also has the most cash on hand, with $17,559 left to spend as of April 19's state Board of Elections deadline. Summey reported $4,330 in cash on hand and Brown showed $2,304 available to spend, though he reported an additional $1,000 check on April 25.

District 3 hopeful Bill Lapsley has the largest war chest of the seven Board of Commissioner candidates, raising $24,900 this cycle. His opponent, incumbent Commissioner Larry Young, had put $10,190 into his campaign coffers as of April 19.

In the District 1 race, Commissioner Mike Edney took in $8,430, while challenger Andrew Riddle filed a report showing he collected $10,040 in the first quarter of 2014. Hogan Corn, who is also running for District 1, didn't have to file a quarterly report because he pledged to raise and spend less than $1,000.

Commissioner Tommy Thompson reported $8,289 in receipts in this election, about $488 more than his District 4 challenger, Tim Griffin. Finance documents showed Thompson also had more cash on hand as of April 19, with $1,073 versus Griffin's $30.30.

In the three-way race for Henderson County register of deeds, Lee King garnered $7,850 this election cycle, compared to $1,696 that Evona Kilpatrick reported in receipts. However, Kilpatrick still had $1,692 in cash on hand as of April 19, compared to King's $380. Shannon Baldwin was also exempt from reporting requirements since he committed to raising and spending less than $1,000.

But Summey and Brown had their share of big-money gifts as well. Brown received $5,000 from logging company owner Harley F. Capps Jr., $4,000 from fitness tycoon Kevin Hoover, $2,000 from retired deputy Brian Brown and $1,500 from Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Lt. Greg Cochran.

Summey, meanwhile, took in $4,000 from family practitioner Dr. Larry Russell, $2,540 from his father, Jerald Summey, $4,000 from former Sheriff Rick Davis' campaign committee and $1,000 from the Southern States Political Action Committee.

According to Lapsley's report, some of his biggest contributors were family. Chris Lapsley gave $1,000, Steven Lapsley contributed $1,250 and Jon Lapsley of Charlotte wrote a check for $1,000. Other big donors included grading contractor J.K. Miller with $2,000 and golf course architect Tom Fazio with $1,000.

Among Young's biggest contributors were retiree T.B. Segal, who gave $4,500, and trucking company owner Boyd Leon Hyder, who gave $1,000 to his campaign.

Hyder also gave $600 to Edney's campaign, matching a $600 contribution the incumbent received from Ben Campen of Fletcher. Bryan Easler, J.W. Wright Jr., David Modaff and Emery John Lorntz all gave $500 to Edney's campaign, according to his campaign finance report.

Riddle's list of receipts included a $1,000 contribution from San Francisco designer Alan Owings, another $1,000 from Joseph Conte of Hendersonville; $500 apiece from Charleston realtor Daniel Ravenel and Susan Mehiel; and $200 from the Asheville Tea Party's PAC.

Thompson listed grading contractor J.K. Miller Jr. and designer Molly Sherrill as his largest contributors this past quarter, with receipts of $500 and $439, respectively. He also wrote three checks to his own campaign totaling $5,500.

Saluda investor Edward Hipp was Griffin's single biggest contributor with $750, according to his quarterly campaign finance report. Greenville, S.C. investor Jane Hipp gave Griffin $500, the same amount given him by Miami investor Todd Leoni.

<p>Sheriff Charlie McDonald leads his Republican primary challengers in fundraising, according to recent campaign finance reports. He raised $53,009 this election cycle, more than double that amassed by his two opponents.</p><p>State Trooper Michael Brown and Fletcher Police Chief Erik Summey have raised $25,780 and $24,000, respectively, according to quarterly campaign finance documents filed with the Henderson County Board of Elections.</p><p>Going into May's primary, McDonald also has the most cash on hand, with $17,559 left to spend as of April 19's state Board of Elections deadline. Summey reported $4,330 in cash on hand and Brown showed $2,304 available to spend, though he reported an additional $1,000 check on April 25.</p><p>District 3 hopeful Bill Lapsley has the largest war chest of the seven Board of Commissioner candidates, raising $24,900 this cycle. His opponent, incumbent Commissioner Larry Young, had put $10,190 into his campaign coffers as of April 19.</p><p>In the District 1 race, Commissioner Mike Edney took in $8,430, while challenger Andrew Riddle filed a report showing he collected $10,040 in the first quarter of 2014. Hogan Corn, who is also running for District 1, didn't have to file a quarterly report because he pledged to raise and spend less than $1,000.</p><p>Commissioner Tommy Thompson reported $8,289 in receipts in this election, about $488 more than his District 4 challenger, Tim Griffin. Finance documents showed Thompson also had more cash on hand as of April 19, with $1,073 versus Griffin's $30.30.</p><p>In the three-way race for Henderson County register of deeds, Lee King garnered $7,850 this election cycle, compared to $1,696 that Evona Kilpatrick reported in receipts. However, Kilpatrick still had $1,692 in cash on hand as of April 19, compared to King's $380. Shannon Baldwin was also exempt from reporting requirements since he committed to raising and spending less than $1,000. </p><p>McDonald helped build his campaign coffers with the help of some sizable contributions, including $2,000 from Sen. Tom Apodaca's campaign committee, $1,178 from Smiley's Flea Market owner Ben Campen, $1,620 from banker Bob Sherman and $1,500 from auto dealer Bryan Easler. </p><p>But Summey and Brown had their share of big-money gifts as well. Brown received $5,000 from logging company owner Harley F. Capps Jr., $4,000 from fitness tycoon Kevin Hoover, $2,000 from retired deputy Brian Brown and $1,500 from Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Lt. Greg Cochran.</p><p>Summey, meanwhile, took in $4,000 from family practitioner Dr. Larry Russell, $2,540 from his father, Jerald Summey, $4,000 from former Sheriff Rick Davis' campaign committee and $1,000 from the Southern States Political Action Committee.</p><p>According to Lapsley's report, some of his biggest contributors were family. Chris Lapsley gave $1,000, Steven Lapsley contributed $1,250 and Jon Lapsley of Charlotte wrote a check for $1,000. Other big donors included grading contractor J.K. Miller with $2,000 and golf course architect Tom Fazio with $1,000.</p><p>Among Young's biggest contributors were retiree T.B. Segal, who gave $4,500, and trucking company owner Boyd Leon Hyder, who gave $1,000 to his campaign.</p><p>Hyder also gave $600 to Edney's campaign, matching a $600 contribution the incumbent received from Ben Campen of Fletcher. Bryan Easler, J.W. Wright Jr., David Modaff and Emery John Lorntz all gave $500 to Edney's campaign, according to his campaign finance report.</p><p>Riddle's list of receipts included a $1,000 contribution from San Francisco designer Alan Owings, another $1,000 from Joseph Conte of Hendersonville; $500 apiece from Charleston realtor Daniel Ravenel and Susan Mehiel; and $200 from the Asheville Tea Party's PAC.</p><p>Thompson listed grading contractor J.K. Miller Jr. and designer Molly Sherrill as his largest contributors this past quarter, with receipts of $500 and $439, respectively. He also wrote three checks to his own campaign totaling $5,500.</p><p>Saluda investor Edward Hipp was Griffin's single biggest contributor with $750, according to his quarterly campaign finance report. Greenville, S.C. investor Jane Hipp gave Griffin $500, the same amount given him by Miami investor Todd Leoni.</p><p>___</p><p>Reach Axtell at 828-694-7860 or than.axtell@blueridgenow.com.</p>